Rizvi Accuses Islamist Party of Overreach, Urges Communal Harmony During Puja

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday accused an Islamist party of abandoning restraint in its quest for power and reaffirmed his party’s commitment to Bangladesh’s secular, people-centered politics.

Speaking to reporters after attending Durga Puja celebrations at Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka, Rizvi alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami no longer acts as an independent political force but functions as an extension of a foreign party in its power pursuits.

“An Islamist party has lost its balance in trying to come to power,” he said, emphasizing that BNP will not compromise its identity, as it “does politics for the people of Bangladesh” and remains deeply rooted in the population. Rizvi used the festive occasion to extend BNP’s greetings to the Hindu community and underline the importance of national unity. He noted that religious festivals unite rather than divide, highlighting cultural icons such as Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Lalon as shared heritages that transcend faith. “When one community celebrates, it is a celebration for everyone,” he added.

He also cautioned against attempts to stir unrest during Durga Puja, accusing unnamed conspirators of trying to exploit the period for political gain by playing the religion card, particularly in remote areas.

Rizvi urged vigilance, stressing that conspiracies aimed at dividing communities will fail because people of different faiths in Bangladesh live and work together closely.

“Festivals spread friendship and harmony,” he said, asserting that any attempt to threaten the country’s unity or sovereignty will be met with firm resistance.